A new Banksy mural depicting a group of pigeons holding anti-immigration placards has been destroyed by a council after a complaint it was “racist”.
The mural appeared on a seafront building in Clacton-on-Sea this week following the defection of local MP Douglas Carswell to Ukip.
The messages “Go back to Africa” and “Migrants not welcome” are written on banners held up by four pigeons to a more exotic looking bird.
Tendring Council removed the work, with an estimated value of £400,000, after a visit by officials who deemed the art could be seen as offensive.
Banksy posted images of the mural on his website confirming it was his creation, but the council had already removed it.
According to the BBC, the council was unaware it was a Banksy before officials moved in to remove the artwork.
Tendring Council has since invited Banksy back to return to paint more street art.
A spokesman said: “The site was inspected by staff who agreed that it could be seen as offensive and it was removed this morning in line with our policy to remove this type of material within 48 hours.
"We would obviously welcome an appropriate Banksy original on any of our seafronts and would be delighted if he returned in the future."
A spokeswoman for Banksy said he would not be commenting further on the Clacton artwork.
The guerrilla artist has also struck seaside town Folkestone recently with a new piece called Art Buff, showing a woman looking at a plinth with headphones on.
A by-election is being held on October 9.
